IIEARLY CHRISTIAN ERA
1- 500 AD(The ‘religious image’ of the
nurse)
In the Pre Christian era, ..
• The Powerful Romans ill treated the slaves
• All religions were fatalistic in their outlook on illness
……………………BUT,
Jesus Christ did not accept illness as a punishment/ necessary evil..
• He healed all kinds of diseases• He brought about ‘altruism’ into
religious teachings -‘Do good & expect no reward. Do it for
God and to be like him’• This is the highest motive given to
mankind• This greatly influenced nursing and
raised it to professional standing
With Jesus Christ’s teaching of
love and care…• Churches established• Groups organized as orders to care for the sick, the poor, orphans, widows, the aged, slaves and prisoners• By Christ's precepts – Men and women made Deacons of
equal ranks; greater opportunities for unmarried women; Strict discipline
• Such thoughts carried on for many years characterizing nursing
• Thus charity – LOVE IN ACTION – took root and flourished and expanded into a field of nursing of today
THE APOSTOLIC ORDER OF WOMEN
• Church taught equality of all men & women• Women assisted the clergy in the work of the church• Later 3 orders were developed –
The Deaconesses – Practiced ‘works of mercy’ (Feeding, clothing, visiting, caring). Did preaching and teaching. They carried a bag while visiting a house (first fore runner of the visiting nurse’s bag) Phoebe was the first Deaconess and the first Visiting Nurse
(PHN). The widows and – Actually aged unmarried women The virginsBy 5th & 6th century, their influence weakened, when the church decrees removed their duties and ranks
EARLY CHRISTIAN HOSPITALS
• Deacons and deaconesses worked religiously• They opened their homes to the poor, sick, …anyone (=
Diakonia)• With time they were persecuted• So they turned to the Bishop for aid. As his house was too
small, the Christian ‘xenodochium’ grew up = A home for strangers, sick, insane, leprosy affected orphans,
aged, travelers• St Basil hospital in Caesaria (Palestine) – Separate area for communicable diseases, homes for doctors and nurses
ROMAN MATRONS
• Women of high rank, with freedom• Gave their wealth to charity and nursing• Organized groups and funded monasteries and
hospitals• Important Roman matrons –
Fabiola – Made the first Public hospital and later a hospice for strangers
Marcella – Converted her luxurious home into a monastery. Did instructions, charitable work and prayers
St Paula – Built monasteries and hospitals. Taught Nursing as an Art, rather than a Service
Fabiola
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